Some questions of interest (Full Version)

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woodsandfield -> Some questions of interest (7/5/2008 8:33:36 PM)

I have some questions for ya
1) do you trust generic medicines just as much as brand name
drugs? Why or why not?
I read an article not long ago that the generics may be inferior to
the brand names so I'm not all that trusting.
2) Do you trust the FDA to regulate our food supply properly?
Again, I'm not all that trusting, but what about you?
3) Do you have a consumer advocate website that you frequent?
If so, can you give the address?
I check out clarkhoward.com and under his cheap or free section
found a bargin or two.
I hope this post will generate some discussion on I believe interesting
topics.



agapetos -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 11:11:58 AM)

I think we owe it to ourselves and those in our care to check out what we're taking in the way of medications and make educated decisions.

One article about generic medications in general may not be an appropriate source. One article about one specific generic medication, citing references would lay more weight to any decision that I'd make.

There are many people who take generic medications and find they work.



pumpkin -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 12:51:49 PM)

I was advised by my doctor that generics, by law, are allowed 15% more or less of the active ingredient of the name brand drug.

We take generic ibuprofen, but recently I, personally, have switched to a name brand drug because I find it works better for me.

We take generic prescriptions, as long as they are working for us. If we have a reaction, we won't use that drug... but that would be the same as our policy on name brand drugs.



woodsandfield -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 2:26:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

I think we owe it to ourselves and those in our care to check out what we're taking in the way of medications and make educated decisions.

One article about generic medications in general may not be an appropriate source. One article about one specific generic medication, citing references would lay more weight to any decision that I'd make.

There are many people who take generic medications and find they work.


I'm sorry I can't remember the source of the article I read; a mainstream
well respected news source, and it was awhile ago.
Just recently the pharmacist substituted a brand name medicine and gave me a generic medicine.
Since some of these generics are made in foreign countries, I wonder how effective the generic might be. For a less serious medicine, for a common tension headache, I don't see a problem but for more serious conditions where people need to take the medicine and in the right dose in a life or death situation, I rather have brand name.
I appreciate you answering at least one question I had, though.



woodsandfield -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 2:30:54 PM)

Thank you, pumpkin, I share your concern if the pills are allowed 15% of the brand name and many are made in a foreign country, that doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling when the drug is needed for a life and death condition.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pumpkin

I was advised by my doctor that generics, by law, are allowed 15% more or less of the active ingredient of the name brand drug.

We take generic ibuprofen, but recently I, personally, have switched to a name brand drug because I find it works better for me.

We take generic prescriptions, as long as they are working for us. If we have a reaction, we won't use that drug... but that would be the same as our policy on name brand drugs.



hotsaucygma -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 3:04:06 PM)

I have taken generic drugs that were just fine, and a couple that didn't seem to work as well. I talked to my Dr. and pharmacist about them before trying them and when I didn't feel one worked as well. They both gave me opnions on why/how to decide which to take.

Sometimes insurance companies will not pay for "name brand" if generic is available, so the pharmacist changes them to the generic. Sometimes if you feel they do not do as well, the insurance company will cover all or part of the name brand if the Dr. orders it "Dispense as written". I'd check with my insurance company first to see their protocol, and then the prices at the pharmacy to see how much out of pocket it could cost.

I do think it is important to take an active role in our health care!



womaninchrist -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 3:17:37 PM)

Actually, I used to work for a manufacturer. There's so much mis-info circulating about generics it's baffling. A generic has to prove to the FDA that it contains the same amount of the same active ingredient within the same tolerances as the brand name version AND that it has similar rates of the same side effects or it doesn't get to go to market. That's even for OTC's. If you try a generic and it performs differently the FDA *really wants* to know because it MAY indicate a problem in manufacture though it more commonly indicates the user has a tolerability problem with something (an inert ingredient like a color or filler) that's in the generic but not the Brand (so if this happens to you, do tell them).

As far as made abroad, that's a red herring - so are a lot of the brand names. Just often different factories. Don't presume the brand name was made here.

Me, generally, I use whichever is cheapest. Then again, I react to some of those iner ingredients so sometimes I HAVE to take brand name or HAVE to take generic (or even particular generics).

All that said, as the old phrase goes, I don't trust the FDA far as I could throw 'em with one hand tied behind my back. Too much slips through their cracks due to understaffing and due to how beholden they've become to industry. For food or new meds.



woodsandfield -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 4:37:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hotsaucygma

I have taken generic drugs that were just fine, and a couple that didn't seem to work as well. I talked to my Dr. and pharmacist about them before trying them and when I didn't feel one worked as well. They both gave me opnions on why/how to decide which to take.

Sometimes insurance companies will not pay for "name brand" if generic is available, so the pharmacist changes them to the generic. Sometimes if you feel they do not do as well, the insurance company will cover all or part of the name brand if the Dr. orders it "Dispense as written". I'd check with my insurance company first to see their protocol, and then the prices at the pharmacy to see how much out of pocket it could cost.

I do think it is important to take an active role in our health care!


hotsaucygma,
The generic is cheaper by half but I'm just concerned over the effectiveness. I haven't had a trouble with the insurance so far, or the generic so far. I'm a little annoyed with the pharmacist, though, changing it without consulting me first.



hotsaucygma -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 4:47:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: woodsandfield
hotsaucygma,
The generic is cheaper by half but I'm just concerned over the effectiveness. I haven't had a trouble with the insurance so far, or the generic so far. I'm a little annoyed with the pharmacist, though, changing it without consulting me first.

Have you tried it long enough to see if there really is a difference? I have found only one time that I thought the 'name brand' worked "better". With the cost of health care in general, my personal feeling is any savings to my insurance plan is a good thing!

I think it is a common policy, maybe even required but I'm not sure, that pharmacists use the generic if possible and if the RX is not written "Dispense as written", but it would have been nice if he had let you know ahead of time or discussed options with you.



agapetos -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 5:07:50 PM)

quote:

I'm a little annoyed with the pharmacist, though, changing it without consulting me first.
This is something that you should have spoken/speak with the pharmacist about.

You should also speak with the pharmacist about the effectiveness. I had the opportunity to review my meds with my pharmacist a week or so back and we discussed a couple of problems. They're ordering in a different inhaler for me and going to supply another med in a bottle (small tablets and I break them easily when they're in a blister pack). All that is free under the NHS system.

You may not have that luxury, but you should be able to speak with your pharmacist about them switching to a generic.



woodsandfield -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 7:37:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos



You should also speak with the pharmacist about the effectiveness. I had the opportunity to review my meds with my pharmacist a week or so back and we discussed a couple of problems. They're ordering in a different inhaler for me and going to supply another med in a bottle (small tablets and I break them easily when they're in a blister pack). All that is free under the NHS system.

You may not have that luxury, but you should be able to speak with your pharmacist about them switching to a generic.


I think I'll be switching the pharmacist since he just decided on his own to switch to generic. I had called before hand and specifically asked for that brand name drug.
It sounds like I'm hard to get along with [:D] but I've taken many generic pills in the past, it's just that this medicine I have to get right. No screw ups.



agapetos -> RE: Some questions of interest (7/8/2008 7:41:11 PM)

quote:

I think I'll be switching the pharmacist since he just decided on his own to switch to generic. I had called before hand and specifically asked for that brand name drug.
I don't blame you for wanting to switch, but I'd still speak with them about it first. While it's cause you inconvenience, it could be a simple mistake and if they have been reliable in the past it may be worth giving them another chance.



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